Animal feeder with insertable feed restrictor

ABSTRACT

An improved animal feeder with an insertable feed restrictor. An example embodiment includes: a barrel into which animal feed may be deposited, the barrel including a first locking mechanism, the barrel being generally cylindrical; and a feed restrictor configured for removable insertion into the opening of the barrel, the feed restrictor being generally cylindrical with an open upper end and a round side surface, the feed restrictor including a second locking mechanism, the diameter of the feed restrictor being slightly less than the diameter of the barrel, the round side surface being configured to slide adjacent to an inner round surface of the barrel, the feed restrictor being configured to prevent feed extraction between the inner round surface of the barrel and the round side surface of the feed restrictor, the height of the feed restrictor being sufficient to prevent inversion of the feed restrictor while inserted in the barrel, the feed restrictor including a plurality of feed access holes arranged on a lower surface of the feed restrictor, the feed restrictor being configured to float on top of the animal feed deposited in the barrel, the feed restrictor being further configured to freely spin laterally and freely slide longitudinally in the barrel, the feed restrictor being further configured to lock into the barrel when the second locking mechanism is not properly configured relative to the first locking mechanism.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/334,801; filed Dec. 22, 2011; now U.S. Pat. No.9,439,394, which is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser.No. 12/455,703; filed Jun. 5, 2009; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,082,882. Thispresent patent application draws priority from the referenced patentapplications. The entire disclosure of the referenced patentapplications is considered part of the disclosure of the presentapplication and is hereby incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates to the field of animal feeders.

COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data asdescribed below and in the drawings that form a part of this document:Copyright 2008-2016 Walter Tharp, All Rights Reserved.

BACKGROUND

Grazing in a field is a natural method for feeding domestic animals,such as livestock, farm animals, and domestic pets. Throughout history,when grazing in a field was not easily available, animals have been fedin stalls or corrals with hay or other feed placed in a feed box and theanimal is allowed to feed at its leisure. Such hay boxes are nothingmore than a containment box with an open top, the opening allowing theanimal to reach into the box from the top to get at the feed.

Several problems exist with this type of a hay box. First, a significantamount of hay inevitably spills onto the floor of the stall or ground.This loose hay results in a wasting of the hay as feed material, oftenresults in the ingestion of contaminates by the animal as it eats hayfrom the floor of the stall, and creates additional work in cleaning thestall. An additional problem with prior hay boxes is that prior hayboxes also do not efficiently restrict the rate at which the animal canconsume the feed. If feed is not continuously provided, the animal willoften eat at an excessive rate when the feed is initially provided,resulting in potential digestion problems.

Improved devices for feeding animals include various forms of movingelements as described in some of the U.S. patents listed below. However,these conventional feeder designs do not efficiently restrict the rateat which the animal can consume the feed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,544 describes a feed saving insert that ispositionable on the surface of feed within a feed bucket. The insertincludes a sheet formed into a disk that is sized to be loosely receivedthrough the bucket top opening and to rest against feed within thebucket. Access apertures are formed through the disk and are uniformlyspaced about the disk to permit limited access to feed under the disk.The disk and access apertures are sized such that access to the feedwithin the bucket is limited and so the disk will float on the feedwithin the bucket and will change in elevation within the bucket inresponse to removal of feed during feeding. A guide shaft is provided,projecting downwardly from the disk and through an opening in the bucketbottom to hold the disk substantially parallel to the bucket bottom andguide the disk in its downward movement responsive to removal of feedfrom the bucket.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,117 describes an animal feeder providing feed toanimals and includes a plurality of side and end walls defining aninterior chamber. A perforated plate defines a bottom wall of thechamber and is moveable therein. A grate defines a top wall of thechamber and allows access to feed material contained in the chamber. Aspring mechanism biases the plate toward the grate such that feedmaterial located within the chamber is continuously provided to ananimal feeding at the level of the grate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,794 describes an animal feeding station whichprovides livestock, at virtually any desired location, waste-free accessto fibrous feed material in quantities heretofore unobtainable with aportable unit. Compacted fibrous feed is charged into arectangular-shaped, variable volume hopper formed by a pair ofupstanding stationary, spaced-apart, opposing end walls and a pair ofmovably suspended mesh-covered side panels. The side panels are movablysuspended on sloping tracks mounted interior the end walls such that thepanels are positioned by gravity against the confined feed mass. Feedinglivestock are able to grasp the fibrous feed through the mesh accordingto their need, and in doing so forcibly urge the panel, along thesloping tracks, against the remaining feed mass. Thus, the livestockhave continuous limited access to the outer wall of the feed mass, untilthe mass is depleted; but are unable to obtain unrestricted access tothe feed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,951,189 describes a hay saver insert adapted to beremovably positioned on and within a conventional cylindrical hayfeeder. The insert includes an upper end portion which rests upon theupper end of the conventional feeder and a conical-shaped portion whichextends downwardly into the interior of the feeder. Hay is placed withinthe insert and the animals have access thereto. Hay being pulled fromthe insert by the animals may fall into the area between theconical-shaped portion of the insert and the interior of the feederwhich prevents the hay from being trampled.

Thus, an improved animal feeder with an insertable feed restrictor isneeded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodiment ofthe improved animal feeder showing the barrel and the insertable feedrestrictor.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective top view of an example embodiment ofthe improved animal feeder showing the barrel and the insertable feedrestrictor partially inserted into the top of the barrel.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view inside of an example embodiment ofthe improved animal feeder showing the interior of the barrel and theinsertable feed restrictor fully inserted into the barrel.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view inside of another exampleembodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the interior of thebarrel with another type of feed restrictor fully inserted into thebarrel.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view inside of an example embodiment of theimproved animal feeder showing the interior of the barrel without thefeed restrictor.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodiment ofthe improved animal feeder showing the barrel without the feedrestrictor.

FIG. 7 illustrates a detail view of an example embodiment of the upperedge of the opening of the barrel showing the ridge or stop attached tothe interior upper edge of the barrel.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom and side of a barrelof an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing thebarrel with handle and drain hole.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of an example embodiment of the improvedanimal feeder showing the barrel with handle and drain hole stopper.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodimentshowing the feed restrictor.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective bottom view of an example embodimentshowing the feed restrictor with an example arrangement of feed accessholes.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective interior view of an example embodimentshowing the feed restrictor with an example arrangement of feed accessholes.

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of an example embodiment showing thefeed restrictor with an example arrangement of feed access holes.

FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of an example embodiment showing thefeed restrictor with an alternative example arrangement of feed accessholes.

FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative exampleembodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the barrel without thefeed restrictor.

FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of the barrel of an alternative exampleembodiment of the improved animal feeder.

FIG. 17 illustrates a bottom view of the barrel of an alternativeexample embodiment of the improved animal feeder.

FIG. 18 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative exampleembodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the feed restrictor.

FIG. 19 illustrates a top view of the feed restrictor of an alternativeexample embodiment of the improved animal feeder.

FIG. 20 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative exampleembodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the barrel lid forinsertion onto the top of the barrel.

FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the barrel lid of an alternativeexample embodiment of the improved animal feeder.

FIG. 22 illustrates a top view of the barrel lid of an alternativeexample embodiment of the improved animal feeder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown,by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the disclosedsubject matter can be practiced. It is understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized and structural changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

According to various example embodiments of the disclosed subject matteras described herein, there is described an improved animal feeder withan insertable feed restrictor. A particular example embodiment includesa cylindrical barrel (or other form of feed container means) into whichfeed of various types can be deposited. An insertable feed restrictor(or other form of feed restricting means) is then inserted into thebarrel on top of the feed deposited therein. The feed restrictorincludes feed access holes, which allow an animal to get access to thefeed in a restricted manner. The feed restrictor floats down into thebarrel and can spin laterally as the feed is consumed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodiment ofthe improved animal feeder. As shown, the example embodiment includes abarrel 100 and an insertable feed restrictor 200. In the particularembodiment shown, the barrel 100 is a cylindrical shape with an openupper end to receive feed and the insertable feed restrictor 200. Thelower end of barrel 100 is closed or capped. In the particularembodiment, the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 can be fabricatedfrom polyethylene or a similar plastic blend material. Alternatively,another type of plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material can beused; however, PVC can become brittle at low temperatures and thusunsuitable in some environments. Alternative embodiments can befabricated from other rigid materials, such as stainless steel,fiberglass, ceramic, concrete, stone, or wood. Alternative embodimentsof the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 can also be fabricated indifferent shapes, such as oval, triangular, rectangular, or polygonal.However, the preferred shape is cylindrical/circular. In the particularembodiment, the barrel 100 is approximately 24 inches tall and 20.5inches in diameter. The diameter of the feed restrictor 200 is slightlyless than the diameter of the barrel 100, so the feed restrictor 200 canbe inserted into the open end of barrel 100 as shown in FIG. 1. In theparticular embodiment, the feed restrictor 200 is approximately 9 inchestall and 18.5 inches in diameter. The wall thickness of the barrel 100and the feed restrictor 200 in a particular embodiment is 0.25 inches.The dimensions of the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 forparticular embodiments can vary according to the animal size, the typeof feed being used, and/or the volume of feed being used. The height andwidth of the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 can change inproportion to each other so the difference in diameter or widthdimension between the barrel 100 and the feed restrictor 200 provides aloose enough slip fit for the feed restrictor 200 to be inserted into,freely travel up and down, and spin freely within the interior of barrel100. The dimensions of the feed restrictor 200 relative to thedimensions of the barrel 100 can be configured to prevent the feedrestrictor 200 from being turned over (inverted) while positioned withinthe interior of barrel 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the barrel 100 alsoincludes handles 120 to assist a user in moving the animal feeder.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective top view of an example embodiment ofthe improved animal feeder showing the barrel 100 and the insertablefeed restrictor 200 partially inserted into the top of the barrel 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view inside of an example embodiment ofthe improved animal feeder showing the interior of the barrel 100 andthe insertable feed restrictor 200 fully inserted into the barrel 100.It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that prior toinserting the feed restrictor 200 into the barrel 100, animal feed ofvarious types can be deposited into the open top of barrel 100. Then,the feed restrictor 200 can be inserted into the open top of barrel 100,as shown in FIGS. 1-4, and allowed to rest on top of the animal feeddeposited in barrel 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view inside of another exampleembodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the interior of thebarrel 100 with another type of feed restrictor 200 fully inserted intothe barrel. As described in more detail below, the feed restrictor 200includes feed access holes 210 that allow an animal to access the animalfeed deposited in barrel 100 in a restricted manner. The arrangement offeed access holes 210 in feed restrictor 200 is specific to the type ofanimal being fed and specific to the type of animal feed being consumed.FIG. 3 shows a feed restrictor 200 with a first arrangement of feedaccess holes 210 generally useful for feeding hay to cattle in arestricted manner. FIG. 4 shows a feed restrictor 200 with a secondarrangement of feed access holes 210 generally useful for feeding foodpellets to cattle in a restricted manner. The various embodiments of thefeed restrictor 200 are described in more detail below.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view inside of an example embodiment of theimproved animal feeder showing the interior of the barrel 100 withoutthe feed restrictor 200. In a particular embodiment, the barrel 100 isclosed or capped at the lower end. In an alternative embodiment, thebarrel 100 can be molded as a single unit, which is closed at one end.Except for the open top, the barrel 100 provides a water-tight enclosurefor the animal feed deposited therein. Near the lower end of barrel 100,a pluggable drain hole 130 is provided in the side wall of the barrel100 to enable removal of any accumulated liquid at the bottom of barrel100.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodiment ofthe improved animal feeder showing the barrel 100 without the feedrestrictor 200. In the particular embodiment, the barrel 100 is shown toinclude a ridge or stop 140 on the inside of the barrel 100 at the edgeof the upper open end of barrel 100. The stop 140 can be held in placewith a plurality of fasteners 110, such as screws, bolts, or rivets. Thestop 140 serves to prevent the feed restrictor 200 from being removedfrom the interior of barrel 100, unless the feed restrictor 200 isremoved in a level and centered configuration. The stop 140 prevents thefeed restrictor 200 from being undesirably removed from the interior ofbarrel 100 by animals feeding in the animal feeder. FIG. 7 illustrates adetail view of an example embodiment of the upper edge of the opening ofthe barrel 100 showing the ridge or stop 140 attached to the interiorupper edge of the barrel 100. In an alternative embodiment, all theattached features of barrel 100, such as handles 120 and stop 140, canbe incorporated into a one piece molded plastic unit representing thebarrel 100 as described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom and side of a barrel100 of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showing thebarrel 100 with a handle 120 and drain hole 130. FIG. 9 illustrates aside view of an example embodiment of the improved animal feeder showingthe barrel 100 with the handle 120 and the drain hole 130 plugged with astopper. In a particular embodiment, the barrel 100 can also be providedwith rings or hooks that can be used to strap the barrel 100 in anupright position.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective side view of an example embodimentshowing the feed restrictor 200. As described above, various alternativeembodiments of the feed restrictor 200 can be fabricated from variousmaterials in various different shapes and dimensions. In a particularembodiment, the lower end or bottom of feed restrictor 200 can be closedor capped with cap 220. In an alternative embodiment, the feedrestrictor 200 can be molded as a single unit, which is closed at oneend. The cap 220 at the lower end or bottom of feed restrictor 200 canbe configured with an arrangement of feed access holes 210, as shown inFIGS. 11-14.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective bottom view of an example embodimentshowing the feed restrictor 200 with an example arrangement of feedaccess holes 210 that allow an animal to access the animal feeddeposited in barrel 100 in a restricted manner. The arrangement of feedaccess holes 210 in feed restrictor 200 is specific to the type ofanimal being fed and specific to the type of animal feed being consumed.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective interior view of an example embodimentshowing the feed restrictor 200 with an example arrangement of feedaccess holes 210. When the feed restrictor 200 is inserted into thebarrel 100 bottom side down and on top of the animal feed deposited intothe barrel 100, the feeding animals will have access to the interior offeed restrictor 200. Feeding animals will also have access to the animalfeed in barrel 100 through the feed access holes 210. The feed accessholes 210 serve to restrict the amount of feed the animals can consumein a given period of time. If the cap 220 is configured with a greaternumber of feed access holes 210, the animals will be able to consume agreater quantity of feed in a lesser quantity of time. Similarly, if thecap 220 is configured with feed access holes 210 each having a largersize, the animals will be able to consume a greater quantity of feed ina lesser quantity of time. Conversely, if the cap 220 is configured witha lesser number of feed access holes 210 and/or each feed access hole210 having a smaller size, the animals will be able to consume a lesserquantity of feed in a greater quantity of time. Additionally, the numberand size of feed access holes 210 can be configured for the specifictype of animal being fed and the specific type of animal feed beingconsumed. For example, larger animals, such as cattle or horses, feedingon hay, alfalfa, or long stem grasses may need an arrangement of feedaccess holes 210 that are greater in number and larger in size.Conversely, smaller animals, such as goats, sheep, or dogs, feeding onfood pellets or granular feed mixes may need an arrangement of feedaccess holes 210 that are lesser in number and smaller in size. In aparticular embodiment, larger feed access holes 210 are 3.25 inches indiameter. In a particular embodiment, smaller feed access holes 210 are2.25 inches in diameter. In general, the hole size diameter of the feedaccess holes 210 is determined according to the type of feed being used.An arrangement of twelve feed access holes 210 is shown in the exampleembodiments of FIGS. 11-14. It will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art that a lesser or greater number of feed access holes210 can be used in particular alternative embodiments.

Beneficially, the feed restrictor 200 of various embodiments can floaton the feed within the barrel 100 and can change in elevation within thebarrel 100 in response to removal of feed during feeding. Additionally,the feed restrictor 200 can spin laterally within the barrel 100 toexpose all areas of the feed underneath feed access holes 210. Thespinning action of the feed restrictor 200 within the barrel 100 alsoserves to catch the ends of the hay, alfalfa, or long stem grassesunderneath feed access holes 210. As the ends of the feed are caught bythe spinning feed access holes 210, the ends of the feed tend toprotrude through the feed access holes 210 and thereby become moreaccessible to a feeding animal. In this manner, unlike conventionalfeeders that use shafts or guides, the various embodiments describedherein are more efficient in providing restricted access to all of thefeed deposited in the barrel 100 by virtue of the innovative design ofthe feed restrictor 200 and barrel 100.

FIG. 13 illustrates a bottom view of an example embodiment showing thefeed restrictor 200 with an example arrangement of feed access holes210. FIG. 14 illustrates a bottom view of an example embodiment showingthe feed restrictor 200 with an alternative example arrangement of feedaccess holes 210. As described above, the particular arrangement of feedaccess holes 210 can be configured for a particular type of animal orfeed. Additionally, the feed access holes 210 can be positioned in cap220 in an orthogonal, spiral, or random placement to facilitate accessto a particular type of feed for a particular type of animal.

FIG. 15 illustrates an isometric view of an alternative exampleembodiment of the improved animal feeder showing the barrel 150 withoutthe feed restrictor 250 inserted therein. In this alternative exampleembodiment, the barrel 150 has been fitted with a slotted lip 154 at thetop end of the barrel 150 as shown in FIG. 15. The slotted lip 154includes a plurality of notches 155 positioned to align withcorresponding nubs protruding outwardly from the outside round surfaceof the feed restrictor 250 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 and described inmore detail below. Similarly, the plurality of notches 155 of slottedlip 154 are also positioned to align with corresponding nubs protrudingfrom the outside round surface of the barrel lid 300 as shown in FIGS.20 through 22 and described in more detail below.

The plurality of notches 155 and the slotted lip 154 of barrel 150 canbe used with nubs 255 of the feed restrictor 250 and nubs 355 of thebarrel lid 300 for locking in either or both the feed restrictor 250and/or the barrel lid 300 into or onto the barrel 150. The feedrestrictor 250 can be locked into the barrel 150 by turning the feedrestrictor 250 laterally, as indicated by the arrows 156 shown in FIG.16, until the nubs 255 of the feed restrictor 250 are aligned with theplurality of notches 155 in the slotted lip 154 of barrel 150. When thisalignment is achieved, the feed restrictor 250 can be inserted ordropped into the internal cavity of barrel 150 and brought to rest ontop of the feed material inside of the barrel 150. The feed restrictor250 can then be turned laterally to mis-align the plurality of notches155 in the slotted lip 154 of barrel 150 relative to the nubs 255 of thefeed restrictor 250. When this mis-alignment is achieved, the feedrestrictor 250 will be locked into the barrel 150. The feed restrictor250 can be removed from the barrel 150 by turning the feed restrictor250 laterally, as indicated by the arrows 156 shown in FIG. 16, untilthe nubs 255 of the feed restrictor 250 are aligned with the pluralityof notches 155 in the slotted lip 154 of barrel 150. When this alignmentis achieved, the feed restrictor 250 can be removed from the barrel 150.

As described above, the feed restrictor 250 can include feed accessholes 210, which allow an animal to get access to the animal feed in arestricted manner. The feed restrictor 250 can float down into thebarrel 150 and can spin laterally as the feed is consumed. The slottedlip 154 of barrel 150 prevents the feed restrictor 250 from exiting thetop of the barrel 150 and thereby locks the feed restrictor 250 into thebarrel 150 as long as the nubs 255 of the feed restrictor 250 are notaligned with the plurality of notches 155 in the slotted lip 154 ofbarrel 150.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in FIGS. 15 through 17, the barrel150 can be molded as a single unit, which is closed at one end. FIG. 15illustrates an isometric view of the barrel 150 without the feedrestrictor 250 inserted therein. FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of thebarrel 150 of an alternative example embodiment. FIG. 17 illustrates abottom view of the barrel 150 of an alternative example embodiment. Atthe top of the barrel 150, handles 152 can be molded or integrated intothe barrel 150 for easy movement of the animal feeder. Except for theopen top, the barrel 150 provides a water-tight enclosure for the animalfeed deposited therein. Near the lower end of barrel 150, a pluggabledrain hole 130 is provided in the side wall of the barrel 150 to enableremoval of any accumulated liquid at the bottom of barrel 150.

FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate the feed restrictor 250 of an alternativeexample embodiment. FIG. 18 illustrates an isometric view of analternative example embodiment of the feed restrictor 250. FIG. 19illustrates a top view of the feed restrictor 250 of an alternativeexample embodiment. As shown, the feed restrictor 250 includes aplurality of nubs 255 arranged around an outside round surface of thefeed restrictor 250 as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. The plurality of nubs255 of feed restrictor 250 are positioned to align with a correspondingplurality of notches 155 of slotted lip 154 of barrel 150. As describedabove, the plurality of notches 155 and the slotted lip 154 of barrel150 can be used with nubs 255 of the feed restrictor 250 for locking thefeed restrictor 250 into the barrel 150. As shown in FIG. 19 anddescribed in more detail above, the feed restrictor 250 can include feedaccess holes 210 that allow an animal to access the animal feeddeposited in barrel 150 in a restricted manner.

FIGS. 20 through 22 illustrate the barrel lid 300 of an alternativeexample embodiment. FIG. 20 illustrates an isometric view of analternative example embodiment of the barrel lid 300 for insertion ontothe top of the barrel 150. FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the barrellid 300 of an alternative example embodiment. FIG. 22 illustrates a topview of the barrel lid 300 of an alternative example embodiment of theimproved animal feeder. As shown, the barrel lid 300 includes aplurality of nubs 355 arranged around an outside round surface of thebarrel lid 300 as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. The plurality of nubs 355 ofbarrel lid 300 are positioned to align with a corresponding plurality ofnotches 155 of slotted lip 154 of barrel 150. The plurality of notches155 and the slotted lip 154 of barrel 150 can be used with nubs 355 ofthe barrel lid 300 for locking the barrel lid 300 onto the barrel 150.The barrel lid 300 can be locked onto the barrel 150 by turning thebarrel lid 300 laterally, as indicated by the arrows 156 shown in FIG.16, until the nubs 355 of the barrel lid 300 are aligned with theplurality of notches 155 in the slotted lip 154 of barrel 150. When thisalignment is achieved, the barrel lid 300 can be inserted or placed ontothe top opening of barrel 150. The barrel lid 300 can then be turnedlaterally to mis-align the plurality of notches 155 in the slotted lip154 of barrel 150 relative to the nubs 355 of the barrel lid 300. Whenthis mis-alignment is achieved, the barrel lid 300 will be locked ontothe top of the barrel 150. The barrel lid 300 can be removed from thetop of the barrel 150 by turning the barrel lid 300 laterally, asindicated by the arrows 156 shown in FIG. 16, until the nubs 355 of thebarrel lid 300 are aligned with the plurality of notches 155 in theslotted lip 154 of barrel 150. When this alignment is achieved, thebarrel lid 300 can be removed from the top opening of barrel 150.

In an alternative embodiment, the barrel lid 300 can include an extendedlower portion 310 that fits into the internal cavity of the barrel 150when the barrel lid 300 is locked onto the barrel 150. When the barrellid 300 is removed from the barrel 150, the barrel lid 300 can beflipped over and the extended lower portion 310 of the barrel lid 300can provide a water container, which can be filled with water and fromwhich animals can drink.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of components and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the descriptionprovided herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived, suchthat structural and logical substitutions and changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. The figures hereinare merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certainproportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

The description herein may include terms, such as “up”, “down”, “upper”,“lower”, “first”, “second”, etc. that are used for descriptive purposesonly and are not to be construed as limiting. The elements, materials,geometries, dimensions, and sequence of operations may all be varied tosuit particular applications. Parts of some embodiments may be includedin, or substituted for, those of other embodiments. While the foregoingexamples of dimensions and ranges are considered typical, the variousembodiments are not limited to such dimensions or ranges.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.74(b) to allow thereader to quickly ascertain the nature and gist of the technicaldisclosure. The Abstract is submitted with the understanding that itwill not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are groupedtogether in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining thedisclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments have more featuresthan are expressly recited in each claim. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate embodiment.

Thus, as described above, an improved animal feeder with an insertablefeed restrictor is disclosed. Although the disclosed subject matter hasbeen described with reference to several example embodiments, it may beunderstood that the words that have been used are words of descriptionand illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be madewithin the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and asamended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosedsubject matter in all its aspects. Although the disclosed subject matterhas been described with reference to particular means, materials, andembodiments, the disclosed subject matter is not intended to be limitedto the particulars disclosed; rather, the subject matter extends to allfunctionally equivalent structures, methods, and uses such as are withinthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An animal feeder comprising: a barrel into which animal feedmay be deposited, the barrel including a first locking mechanism, thebarrel being generally cylindrical; and a feed restrictor configured forremovable insertion into the opening of the barrel, the feed restrictorbeing generally cylindrical with an open upper end and a round sidesurface, the feed restrictor including a second locking mechanism, thediameter of the feed restrictor being slightly less than the diameter ofthe barrel, the round side surface being configured to slide adjacent toan inner round surface of the barrel, the feed restrictor beingconfigured to prevent feed extraction between the inner round surface ofthe barrel and the round side surface of the feed restrictor, the heightof the feed restrictor being sufficient to prevent inversion of the feedrestrictor while inserted in the barrel, the feed restrictor including aplurality of feed access holes arranged on a lower surface of the feedrestrictor, the feed restrictor being configured to float on top of theanimal feed deposited in the barrel, the feed restrictor being furtherconfigured to freely spin laterally and freely slide longitudinally inthe barrel, the feed restrictor being further configured to lock intothe barrel when the second locking mechanism is not properly configuredrelative to the first locking mechanism.
 2. The animal feeder of claim 1wherein the barrel and the feed restrictor are fabricated from amaterial from the group: polyethylene and a plastic blend material. 3.The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the barrel includes a drain hole.4. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the first locking mechanism is aslotted lip on the barrel that prevents removal of the feed restrictorfrom an interior of the barrel, unless the second locking mechanism ofthe feed restrictor is properly aligned with the slotted lip of thebarrel.
 5. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the plurality of feedaccess holes being arranged in size and number for animals feeding on atype of feed from the group: hay, alfalfa, and long stem grasses.
 6. Theanimal feeder of claim 1 wherein the plurality of feed access holesbeing arranged in size and number for animals feeding on food pellets.7. The animal feeder of claim 1 wherein the plurality of feed accessholes being arranged in size with a diameter hole size determinedaccording to the type of feed being used.
 8. The animal feeder of claim1 including a barrel lid configured for removable insertion onto theopening of the barrel, the barrel lid being generally cylindrical with aclosed upper end and a round side surface, the round side surfaceincluding a plurality of nubs, the diameter of the barrel lid beingslightly less than the diameter of the barrel, the round side surfaceincluding an extended lower portion configured to slide adjacent to aninner round surface of the barrel.
 9. The animal feeder of claim 8wherein the barrel lid being further configured to lock into the barrelwhen the plurality of nubs on the barrel lid are mis-aligned with thefirst locking mechanism of the barrel.
 10. The animal feeder of claim 8wherein the extended lower portion of the barrel lid being furtherconfigured to provide a water container.
 11. An apparatus comprising: afeed container means into which animal feed may be deposited, the feedcontainer means including a first locking mechanism, the feed containermeans being generally cylindrical; and a feed restricting meansconfigured for removable insertion into the opening of the feedcontainer means, the feed restricting means being generally cylindricalwith an open upper end and a round side surface, the feed restrictingmeans including a second locking mechanism, the diameter of the feedrestricting means being slightly less than the diameter of the feedcontainer means, the round side surface being configured to slideadjacent to an inner round surface of the feed container means, the feedrestricting means being configured to prevent feed extraction betweenthe inner round surface of the feed container means and the round sidesurface of the feed restricting means, the height of the feedrestricting means being sufficient to prevent inversion of the feedrestricting means while inserted in the feed container means, the feedrestricting means including a plurality of feed access holes arranged ona lower surface of the feed restricting means, the feed restrictingmeans being configured to float on top of the animal feed deposited inthe feed container means, the feed restricting means being furtherconfigured to freely spin laterally and freely slide longitudinally inthe feed container means, the feed restricting means being furtherconfigured to lock into the feed container means when the second lockingmechanism is not properly configured relative to the first lockingmechanism.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the feed containermeans and the feed restricting means are fabricated from a material fromthe group: polyethylene and a plastic blend material.
 13. The apparatusof claim 11 wherein the feed container means includes a drain hole. 14.The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the first locking mechanism is aslotted lip on the feed container means that prevents removal of thefeed restricting means from an interior of the feed container means,unless the second locking mechanism of the feed restricting means isproperly aligned with the slotted lip of the feed container means. 15.The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the plurality of feed access holesbeing arranged in size and number for animals feeding on a type of feedfrom the group: hay, alfalfa, and long stem grasses.
 16. The apparatusof claim 11 wherein the plurality of feed access holes being arranged insize and number for animals feeding on food pellets.
 17. The apparatusof claim 11 wherein the plurality of feed access holes being arranged insize with a diameter hole size determined according to the type of feedbeing used.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11 including a barrel lid meansconfigured for removable insertion onto the opening of the feedcontainer means, the barrel lid means being generally cylindrical with aclosed upper end and a round side surface, the round side surfaceincluding a plurality of nubs, the diameter of the barrel lid meansbeing slightly less than the diameter of the feed container means, theround side surface including an extended lower portion configured toslide adjacent to an inner round surface of the feed container means.19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the barrel lid means being furtherconfigured to lock into the feed container means when the plurality ofnubs on the barrel lid means are mis-aligned with the first lockingmechanism of the feed container means.
 20. The apparatus of claim 18wherein the extended lower portion of the barrel lid means being furtherconfigured to provide a water container.